Hey, i'm just wondering. When I visit Japan within the next 3 or 4 years, i'm going to want to visit some interesting historical places there. Not just big cities like Tokyo and Yokohama, as I could see places like that right here in the States (Vegas, NYC, etc), or in almost any country. I'm looking for older places that leave more of a Japanese impression. I don't know of any, as my knowledge of Japan is still minimal. Can anyone suggest any of these places to visit, and tell me just where in Japan they are located?

you might also want to visit Takayama, which is a small old town, with some streets still looking like the must have been in the Edo era. And Kanazawa, with one of the three "most beautiful" - officially- gardens of japan.
One of my favourite places is Miyajima, not only for the famous tori in the sea, but also for the old and sometimes unfinished temples. You might choose autumn to go there, as the もみじ is really beautiful there. Just avoid weekends, you'll find it quite empty - as the rest od japan - outside holidays, and school trips (a lot of them in Jne)

I think if you will not go to Japan within one year, my recommendation is learning history/culture firstly.
For example, if you become interested in Buddhism history, you can make plan to visit to the place where related with Japanese Buddhism.
If you become interested during 鎖国 to 開国 era，you can make plan to go to related place.

If you will stay Japan more than years, you can make travel plan after you arrive here in Japan，I think.

Japan is covered with history. In Kyoto there are hundreds of temples, sword smiths, (if you know hewre to look) dojo's, and Gion is pretty cool. There are a lot of castles and museums in almost all big cities, as well as small. You could visit battle fields or go to some WWII exhibits. http://www.japan-guide had some cool things in the past, look at that, and if you don't find anything there, try going to the libray or to a book store.

Last edited by S-san on Mon 05.08.2006 10:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That is my plan. I have already started researching Japanese history and culture. I am on Wikipedia right now on a different browser window just for starters. I am going to visit my library also, and I will look around online for other books on the subject of Japanese history. I am going to study it as extensively as I can before going to Japan. At this particular moment I am reading about the pre-feudal eras. I am going to research more, and I am going to study Buddhism. I know nothing about Buddhism at the moment. Well, a little, but not in detail. Obviously knowledge of Buddhism will be a must-have when I go there.

I intend to visit as much of the country as I possibly can. Not all at once, of course. I'd have to do it over a period of years. I'm assuming it would be expensive to do all that travelling. One thing I know for sure is that I am going on the trip through Shikoku, and not by way of a bus. LOL That would ruin the experience. Too modern. I want to feel the way the ancient Japanese felt as they walked throughout the island.

I think Kyoto and Nara are good places if you want to see many temples and shrines. Those are pretty famous and popular cities for sightseeing, so you may find a lot of information written in English.
Osaka could be interesting, it has a beatiful Japanese castle.
Nikkou is nice place too. It's nearer to Tokyo than other places above. Toshogu is a gorgeous and famous temple there, and the nature is beautiful too.
Nagasaki and Hiroshima would show you the history from the WWII.

well, I say my favorite place to visit is Kyoto. Kinkakuji temple is always so beautiful

Shikoku, I see, Takeo-san.
you will be お遍路（へんろ）さん＾＾
http:
//www.pref.kagawa.jp/kokusai/kyoryoku/cir/henro/more_01.html
There are 5 pages. Please click all pages.

お遍路さん visit 88 temples which are established Buddhist sect named 真言宗(しんごんしゅう).
So, check up about 弘法大師 こうぼう だいし aka 空海くうかい.
I think there are some biography books about 空海 even in English.
He is a beginner of 真言宗(しんごんしゅう), which belongs to上座部仏教じょうざぶ・ぶっきょう ( also called 小乗仏教しょうじょうぶっきょう).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada

空海(774-835) is amazing person, was born in 香川(かがわ) prefecture in四国(しこく). He went to China to learn Buddhism.
If you are interested in 空海 or 真言宗. You should look 高野山(こうやさん Mt. ko(u)ya). There is head temple of a Buddhist 真言宗, wonderful place!! I really love 高野山. There is no commerce Hotel in 高野山 but you can stay over nights in temples. It (staying in temples) is called 宿坊(しゅくぼう). You can see how monks do in the morning chant(?). you can not eat meat at dinner in temples but there are a few restaurants which serve meat, so don't worry.

You can see the movies around 高野山 金剛峯寺(こんごうぶじ) from this page.
http://www.koyasan.or.jp/visit/index.htmlclick 訪れる→ 観る(パノラマムービー)→ choose 低解像度 or 高解像度
(need Quick Time version6.5 or latar)
When screen is showed, you can control your point of view.

enjoy the movies. I hope everything will be alright.

Last edited by coco on Thu 05.11.2006 6:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.